By GARRY HOWE
A COMMITTED group of local history sleuths has again been busy digging up details of Anzac heroes in preparation for a cemetery tour.
Members of the Narre Warren Family History Group have been working overtime at Pakenham Cemetery over the past few months to uncover the stories behind those who served in World War One.
They will take interested people through their journey on Sunday 17 April when they host a war cemetery walk.
They held a similar event at Berwick Cemetery last year in the lead-up to the Anzac Centenary.
In their research they discovered that Brigadier General Cecil Henry Foott had lain in the cemetery for 70 years in an unmarked grave.
With the help of the Berwick RSL, the local cemetery trust and Cameo Memorials, they rectified that situation, a gesture that brought many group members to tears.
Group member Jane Rivett-Carnac said there were no hidden Brigadier Generals at Pakenham, but their work did uncover a myriad of inspirational and sad tales.
“We have a nurse, a sailor, two Aboriginal soldiers, two POWs, men who put their age up and others who put their age down, a mother who collapsed when told of her son’s death and died 15 days later, a father and son who enlisted and 23 sets of brothers,” she said.
“We found 64 families who supported 120 men and one woman as they enlisted.
“Four of these men did not complete basic training due to medical reasons, 24 families sent two or more sons to the front and three of these families sent four or more sons.”
Of the 120 remembered at Pakenham Cemetery, 30 died while on service overseas.
The first to die was Private E T Bryan at Lone Pine, Gallipoli, on 24 June 1915.
Another 18 died in France, one at Gallipoli, eight in Belgium, two in Egypt and one in England.
Fifty-four were wounded, and eight wounded several times. One soldier, Private W Smith, was wounded four times.
Those who returned had many and varied experiences during their service and upon their return 16 took up soldier settlement blocks and 11 went on to re-enlist for World War Two.
The Sacrifice and Patriotism – World War One Walk in Pakenham Cemetery will start at 10am on Sunday 17 April, with a charge of $5 per adult, payable on the day.
The walk runs for about 90 minutes.
Bookings are essential through cemetery.tours@nwfhg.org.au or by phoning 9796 1421.
The group will also have a book for sale detailing the stories of the soldiers remembered.
